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The 10 Most Insane Medical Practices in History

If you’ve ever questioned whether your doctor really knows what he or she is talking about, these shocking medical practices of years gone by will give you some fodder for your suspicions.

Although they may sound unbelievable, these medically approved remedies were at one time all the rage.

1. Children’s soothing syrups. Used for teething and nursing infants, and also to “cure colic, cramps, dysentery, canker sores and pain,” these syrups were “soothing” because they contained morphine, chloroform, codeine, heroin, opium and cannabis.

2. Mercury. This toxic metal that can cause heart and lung problems, psychotic reactions, delirium, tremors, chest pain and more, was used for centuries to treat everything from cuts to constipation.

3. Heroin. If you had a cough in the late 19th century, a dose of heroin would fix it. This now illegal, extremely addictive drug was originally developed and sold by Bayer … as a cough suppressant.

4. Lobotomies. During the first half of the 20th century, lobotomies were used to destroy the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe of your brain. (This is the area of your brain that controls thinking, personality traits and decision-making.) They were used for years to treat everything from schizophrenia to depression, anxiety and moodiness -- until it was discovered that it often caused mental retardation.

5. Hard-core diet remedies. In the 1950s and ‘60s, women took diet pills that were made of amphetamines to lose weight.

Curious about the other five insane medical practices? The link below has the full list.

Sources:

  Cracked


Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Looking back a couple of centuries, and in some cases just a few decades, it’s easy to laugh at some of the seriously misguided medical practices that occurred.

But history, of course, has a funny way of repeating itself, and that is really no laughing matter.

In fact, I could point out a laundry list of medical practices in full swing today that, in my opinion, could easily be added to a list like the one above:
  • Prescribing antibiotics for colds (about 41 million antibiotic prescriptions are written for cold sufferers each year, even though antibiotics have no effect on the viruses that cause colds)
Despite making many advancements in hygiene and sanitation over the last couple of centuries, and now spending over $2 trillion every year for health care, the United States has acquired a health care system that, in many respects, is a dismal failure for those it seeks to serve.

Fortunately, you do have some options here. You do NOT have to rely on the conventional medical model.

You CAN Take Control of Your Health.

You can take matters into your own hands by making lifestyle choices that will keep you from needing medical interventions in the first place.

As the foundation of conventional medicine keeps coming apart at the seams, you just can't afford to let anyone else besides you take responsibility for your health care decisions. Reading this and many other articles means you're searching for answers, certainly a good thing that means better health for you in the long run.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (27)
 
 
Posted On Dec 08, 2007

Both my parents are College Schooled Nurses and I cannot get them to stop believing every word of the Medical Community.  I am 21 years old and know what is going on 1000 times better than they do.  It is really depressing watching your reasonably intelligent families get suckered in because they are trusting people.  My God what does this mean for most of America?


 
Conscious Evolution
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 11/2007
Conscious Evolution  
Replied

GreenApple
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
GreenApple  
 
Posted On Dec 08, 2007

You are not alone my friend. I have a sister who is a R.N, her husband a Chemist and a brother in-law that is an orthopedic back surgeon.  They all think I’m a little off my rocker too.

Just living a healthy lifestyle, people will notice.


 
 
 
Posted On Nov 24, 2007
So what you are saying is, "The more things change, the more they stay the same?"

 
samurai
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 4/2007
samurai  
 
 
 
Posted On Dec 08, 2007

One might add to this list:

- the use of forceps in childbirth

- elective c-sections

- chemotherapy (the theory being which will it kill faster, the cancer or the person)

- bleeding patients

- surgeries to remove the uvula or the septum to cure snoring

Frankly, I look back at Dr. McCoy in Star Trek IV, and I sympathize with his reaction to "cutting and sewing people like garments.  I'm a doctor, Jim, not a tailor!"


 
cydwatts
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 6/2007
cydwatts  
Replied

Leah_Reimer
Novice User Novice User Joined On 1/2007
Leah_Reimer  
 
Posted On Dec 09, 2007

cydwatts - sorry you think that forceps are wrong.  They most likely saved the life of my son as he was completely blue when they got him out of me.  I was about 30 seconds away from having to have an emergency c-section so thank God for amazing forceps that got my son out alive and without a dangerous c-section.


 
 
 
Posted On Dec 08, 2007

I'm a childbirth educator and have some more to add:

~Circumcision (male or female)

~Cytotec to induce/augment labor

~Supine position for birth

~Episiotomies

~DES/Thalidomide for pregnant women

~Artificial milk companies being allowed to advertise

~Pubic shaving and enemas

~Banning VBAC's

~Disallowing breech vaginal births

~Early cord clamping

~Separating families (dad from laboring mom; baby from mom after birth)

~Disallowing a laboring woman food and drink

~Continuous electronic fetal monitoring

~Routine ultrasound

~Disallowing Kangaroo Mother Care for premies


 
MelissaEvans
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 12/2007
MelissaEvans  
 
 
 
Posted On Nov 21, 2007
Very sad article.  Unfortunately, there are many insane medical practices performed on millions of gullible patients each day in this country.  I wonder if they will live long enough to see the treatment provided to them added to this list. 

 
foxtroter_203
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
foxtroter_203  
 
 
 
 
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